SALES ARCHIVE

A RARE AND BEAUTIFULLY TACTILE 17TH CENTURY ENGLISH SCULPTURE OF A SEATED CAT.

THIS VERY APPEALING SCULPTURE IS CARVED IN A VERY DENSE TIMBER, POSSIBLY LIGNUM VITAE OR PADAUK WOOD, AS IT IS VERY HEAVY FOR ITS SMALL SIZE. IT WAS DISCOVERED BEHIND A WALL IN A 17TH CENTURY HOUSE NEAR CARNFORTH IN LANCASHIRE WHEN THE HOUSE WAS DEMOLISHED OVER THIRTY YEARS AGO.
IT WAS A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT PEOPLE WOULD PUT MINIATURE WOODEN CATS IN THE WALLS OF HOUSES TO WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS.SEVERAL EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN 15TH,16TH AND 17TH CENTURY HOUSES. IT HAS TAKEN ON A WONDERFUL PATINA ESPECIALLY ON ITS FACE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE STROKED ITS HEAD OVER THE CENTURIES.

PROVENANCE- EX PRIVATE COLLECTION.

STOCK NO. 1618.


Dimensions:
Height: 7.75 inches (19.7 cms)

SOLD

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